You may think you’re a bit of an amateur cake expert (we’ve certainly eaten our fair share to think we know a thing or two), but when it comes to wedding cakes, it’s a whole different gateau game! Where do you even begin?
What styles are fashionable? What styles are outdated? What’s more important: style or taste? What are the classic mistakes people make when choosing their cake designers?
Find out everything you need to know about picking your wedding cake below with help from our three fantastic experts!
Our Experts:
Emmazing Bakes
Emma is a multi-award winning cake designer with an unrivalled passion and devotion to the world of wedding cake design.
Ben The Cake Man
Ben is an award-winning chef, an international cake show judge and a wedding cake designer with over twenty years experience in the industry.
Buttercup Cakes
Award-winning designer Linda at Buttercup Cakes specialises in bespoke elegant cakes and has been in the business for over a decade.
So what’s hot in the world of wedding cakes?
Emmazing Bakes
Rustic buttercream cakes are still going strong. Floral modern designs also. People love the fact that their wedding can be completely tailored to them and they can have a cake that’s completely personalised rather than the generic mass-produced cakes that used to be the staple of any wedding.
Ben the Cake Man
In my opinion, many weddings are becoming looser and rustic, but with a move away from naked cakes; more florals and wildflowers. A change of palette is coming through too, from pinks to more toffee and golden colours. There is also a move towards Boho weddings and styles.
Buttercup Cakes
Tall tiers, textures, and square tiers, with lots of florals and botanicals.
And what’s not?
Emmazing Bakes
Fruit cake! I don’t seem to get a lot of orders for fruit cake anymore. Also cakes with pillars – people are instead opting for separators with flowers and lights.
Ben the Cake Man
I think that there is a move away from glitter, sparkle and shiny, and lustre finishes.
Buttercup Cakes
Naked and semi-naked cakes have been very popular for the past few years, but this style has been seen so much now that the trend is fading.
Are wedding cakes pretty standard or are there different types?
Emmazing Bakes
Ooooh cakes are far from standard! Some people want fresh, modern designs and some go really crazy with themes which shows their personalities and brings a little of themselves to the cake. Some couples do huge amounts of homework before they come and see me, and we come up with some great personalised designs, whilst other couples don’t even realise that you can have different flavours. I’d say there is definitely a move away from what you may call a traditional standard cake, but I do a good mix of both – it just depends on the couple.
Ben the Cake Man
There are certainly different types, and no ‘standard’ style – particularly as people are having to think outside the box with where they may be hosting the event due to COVID restrictions.
Buttercup Cakes
There are so many different styles of wedding cake, from a simple single tier to an elaborate and grand cake with several tiers. There is something for everyone – rustic, elegant, contemporary, opulent or quirky. The beauty of a bespoke wedding cake is that your cake designer can create a cake that is unique to you.
What’s your most popular style of wedding cake?
Emmazing Bakes
I’d probably say half and half designs.One-half pretty/traditional side, and a hidden back which interprets their hobbies or likes such as Marvel, Harry Potter, Gaming etc. I love these styles as they are two cakes in one.
Ben the Cake Man
I am known for being able to produce what a bride can picture in her head, and many come to me simply because of this. I enjoy matching the style of cake to the style of the wedding, so will produce work in as many styles as there are brides!
Buttercup Cakes
My signature style is timeless elegance with clean lines and a flawless finish, often with beautiful sugar flowers and textures.
What’s a classic mistake couples make when choosing their wedding cake?
Emmazing Bakes
Asking to collect their cake and setting up themselves.Wedding cakes are generally three tiers or more so I have to assemble them on-site. Stacked cakes do not travel well.
Ben the Cake Man
Wanting an exact replica of something they have seen on Pinterest, and whilst this is very possible to do, by not trusting their supplier to create a unique piece for them based on their vision, they end up with something which is essentially somebody else’s cake. My best cakes are always when I am told by a bride: ‘I totally trust you’, and am not bound by a restrictive brief.
Buttercup Cakes
Having a family member or friend make their cake. They might bake great cakes but they also need experience and skill to create a perfectly finished wedding cake, with an internal structure so it doesn’t collapse. Leave it to a professional!
Is it all about the design or do couples care about the cake itself?
Emmazing Bakes
I’d say the design is the main factor when people consider their cake. Cutting the cake is such a big part of any traditional wedding and people want that picture and if it’s good cake, well, that’s a bonus! Hopefully, my cakes do both.
Ben the Cake Man
It’s always the bride that cares what it looks like, and the groom who cares what it tastes like!
Buttercup Cakes
The wedding cake has to look good to create an amazing centrepiece at the wedding, but it has to taste as good as it looks. I find that couples do really care about the taste of the cake and love to come for a cake tasting to try some flavours. There is a huge variety available today.
What’s the best wedding cake you’ve made?
Emmazing Bakes
This is the cake that’s received the most attention… it was a very stressful make though.
Ben the Cake Man
I’m not sure that there is a ‘best’ as they are all so unique. The cake for me isn’t the only thing. It’s really important to me that the whole process is the ‘best’ and this starts with meeting the couple, building the relationship, and guiding them in the right direction – most couples haven’t done this before!
Buttercup Cakes
Oh gosh, that’s a hard one! I put my heart and soul into all my cakes and am proud of so many. Perhaps the most challenging one was a very large cake that took two men to lift. The delivery was pretty stressful but it looked amazing when it was all set up.
What’s the most original idea you’ve encountered?
Emmazing Bakes
The most original is the one above. The design is unique and tells a story. I get asked several times a month from bakers all over the world asking to replicate the cake and ask for tips.
Ben the Cake Man
I love being challenged by things which don’t look possible, like floating tiers balancing on superheroes’ backs, or a chocolate unicorn and zebra embracing over four tiers! If the venue is original, it would be a wasted opportunity to not make the cake so too, so that it sits comfortably in the surroundings!
Buttercup Cakes
My style is luxury and elegant, so I don’t tend to get asked for the weird and wacky.
And finally, what’s your best bit of advice for brides and grooms ahead of their big day?
Emmazing Bakes
If you want the best suppliers, book early with a deposit to secure the date. Generally around 12-18 months before. Summer dates get filled up to two years before. Finer details can be arranged closer to the time with most suppliers.
Ben the Cake Man
Relax and enjoy it, it will be over before you know it and you have already put the hard work in. Trust the team who you are working with – it’s our job and we know what we are doing! Finally: make sure you get a piece of cake!
Buttercup Cakes
Try not to worry. If you’ve hired good quality, experienced wedding suppliers, they will do everything they can to make sure your day is perfect. Also, make sure you have a piece of your cake! In the midst of the evening partying, couples often forget, so ask your caterers to put some aside for you to enjoy the next day!
